Yū Kondō

Yū Kondō assumed editorial duties on Dragon Ball following Kazuhiko Torishima, taking the helm during the franchise's most explosive growth. Under his guidance, Kondō championed the introduction of alien invaders (the Saiyans), expanded Goku's backstory by revealing he was an alien with a brother and a son, and orchestrated the escalation of threats across the Namek, Android, and Cell arcs. He introduced the Power Level measurement system and championed increasingly spectacular battles against progressively stronger villains. Kondō's editorial vision prioritized action sequences and power scaling, transforming Dragon Ball into a more combat-focused series that broadened its appeal. His tenure concluded shortly after the Cell arc's conclusion.

Kondō brought shōjo manga sensibility to his editing approach, always valuing reader feedback, particularly from female audiences. Toriyama later acknowledged that Kondō may have unconsciously inspired the character Frieza and humorously suggested himself as the basis for Future Trunks. Outside Dragon Ball, Kondō worked on Blue Exorcist and Sket Dance, furthering his influence across Shueisha's catalog.